C Spire “Pigskins in the Park” on Oct. 25 presented by Renasant to benefit Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association

Ole Miss and Mississippi State, ranked among the nation’s top 15 college football teams for the first time since 1999, will be going on the road to play important SEC league games later this month against LSU and Kentucky.

Fans in North Mississippi who don’t make the road trip with the teams will still be able to watch the televised games on a giant-sized jumbotron screen and text or tweet messages and photos in support of their team as part of the C Spire “Pigskins in the Park” event on Saturday, Oct. 25 in front of Tupelo City Hall in Fairpark.

The live broadcast of the Ole Miss Rebels road game in Baton Rouge against the LSU Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs’ trip to Lexington to play the Kentucky Wildcats is title sponsored by C Spire and presented by Renasant Bank and the City of Tupelo in partnership with the Tupelo Quality of Life Committee. Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association (DTMSA) is the organizer of the event and will receive the sponsorship proceeds.

The games will be shown on a giant 22 foot by 33 foot jumbotron screen, which is elevated 16 feet from the ground bringing the total height to more than six stories with high-resolution images for both daylight and night time viewing. Start times for each game will be announced by the schools on Oct. 13. Once game times are announced, DTMSA will announce tailgate set-up times. The event is free and open to the public. This is an “official watch party” for Ole Miss and Mississippi State, arranged by the Lee County Alumni Clubs.

“This is shaping up to be the ultimate tailgate party in North Mississippi,” said Jim Richmond, vice president of Corporate Communications for C Spire. “We know how passionate fans are about college football and their schools. So whether you’re screaming Hotty Toddy or ringing your cow bell in Fairpark, we’re proud to be a part of making this quality of life event possible.”

C Spire Pigskins in the Park activities will include:

·SuperTalk Mississippi’s “Head to Head” statewide sports talk radio show with Matt Wyatt and Richard Cross will be broadcast live from the C Spire location on West Main in Tupelo on Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 3 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

·C Spire will host a special VIP tent for customers who have earned Elite status in the company’s PERCS loyalty rewards program. Entry is by invitation and will include complimentary refreshments, giveaways and a register to win contest for an iPad Mini. Tent will open 30 minutes before each game’s kickoff.

·The company also is sponsoring a “Show Your True Colors” tailgate contest for the most elaborate tent décor with costumes for Ole Miss and Mississippi State fans. The top winner for each school will receive an iPad Mini. The winner will be announced from the stage during each game’s halftime.

·Post your pictures from our fun photo booth where there may be a surprise visit from a team mascot or two.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase from various downtown Tupelo food vendors and businesses during the games. No alcoholic beverages other than those sold on site will be allowed at the event. Beer will be sold to individuals who are 21 or older. Fans are allowed to bring lawn chairs, tents and tailgating items, but personal grills and coolers are discouraged.

Earlier that day, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will take place in Fairpark. For more information on the race, visit www.komennorthms.org.

About C Spire

C Spire is a diversified telecommunications and technology services company that provides world-class customer-inspired service and a superior comprehensive suite of wireless communications, high-speed Internet access and a range of other telecommunications products and services to consumers and businesses. This news release and other announcements are available at www.cspire.com/news. For more information about C Spire, visit www.cspire.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cspire or Twitter at www.twitter.com/cspire.

About Renasant

With perseverance as its watchword, Renasant Corporation, which stands for constant renaissance, has a rich history of achievement in its journey to becoming one of the South’s most successful companies. A collection of community banks that values its relationships with employees and clients above all else, Renasant has found its strength in being a company dedicated to solid leadership, innovation, and community partnership. From its humble beginnings on February 27, 1904 as a makeshift $100,000 bank started in an old Lee County, Mississippi bakery to its current multi-state 120+ banking, lending, insurance, wealth management and financial services offices, Renasant has evolved into a client focused corporation that is stronger than ever.

About Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association

The Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association (DTMSA) is a membership-based organization focused on sustaining and enhancing the downtown experience. For more details, contact DTMSA at 662.841.6598 or go to www.tupelomainstreet.com.